Rutgers takes down Howard 58-7; Scarlet Knights earn first win of 2026
Schiano earns 100th win as head coach.
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 25: Rutgers Scarlet Knights claimed an impressive 58-7 victory over Howard Bison, marking their first win of the 2026 season after a three-game losing streak. The Scarlet Knights dominated through both the air and ground, amassing 534 total yards of offense under head coach Greg Schiano's leadership.
Rutgers seized control early, scoring two touchdowns within the first five minutes, and never relinquished their lead. Howard managed to score their lone points late in the first quarter via a 75-yard run from Eden James.
The quarterback duo of Dylan Lonergan and AJ Surace delivered a stellar performance, connecting on 17 of their 17 passes for 254 yards, including two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Sean Ashenfelder chipped in with three completions for 40 yards and one touchdown. The Rutgers rushing corps also shined, with Antwan Raymond amassing 140 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns, while Clay Thevenin added 69 yards on 16 carries and another touchdown.
KJ Duff set a new team record with five receiving touchdowns in a game off a 77-yard pass from Lonergan, collecting a total of five catches for 131 yards.
Jourdin Houston contributed 50 yards on three receptions, and Ben Black and Vernon Allen both had at least one catch and a touchdown. Rutgers' defensive unit also shined, registering four sacks, nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Star defensive players Bradlee Jones, Rondo Porter, and Keshon Griffin each contributed a sack, while Moses Walker led the team in tackles (five) and tackles for loss (2.5).
Despite facing a significantly less formidable opponent, a dominant, error-free victory is always welcome, especially as the upcoming schedule becomes increasingly challenging. The Scarlet Knights will face Indiana in their next matchup at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, at SHI Stadium, marking both the annual homecoming and blackout game for Rutgers. Live coverage will be available on the Big Ten Network.
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